Scotch Swords, Muskets and Love

Robert muttered a silent prayer, thanking God for His help in this matter.

“Now we have it,” he said, “we have the confession that I need to get both the gold and my land back, all thanks to your amazing plan. You've saved my life, and my future, my love!”

He was about to lean in and kiss her, but she stopped him, holding up a cautionary finger.

“Wait a minute, though,” she said. “We do have a confession, yes, but we're still going to have to take it to court. The battle isn't won yet, unfortunately. No Robert my love, it is not. In fact, it has only just begun...”

CHAPTER 9

Robert and Susan stared up at the courthouse. Its tall stone columns soared upwards, creating a very intimidating effect, and the huge oaken doors opened up into a vast, marble-lined entrance hall. Armed guards stood sentry outside, armed with muskets and pikes, and they stared coldly out at anyone approaching via the huge row of concrete steps.

Still, there was nothing to do but go in; they had to get this battle started, and this was the place to do that.

“Come on,” said Robert, taking Susan by the arm. “Let's see what they say.”

They walked up the steps, past the guards, one of whom looked Robert up and down with a disapproving glare, staring at his highlander's outfit with distaste. Robert met the guard's gaze with a defiant stare – but then the guard noticed Robert's sword and pistols on his belt.

“You, highlander! Stop right there.”

Robert stopped in his tracks.

“What?”

“This is a courthouse. Only officers of the law are permitted to have weapons in there. You'll have to leave the sword and pistols with us.”

Robert grumbled, but he took off his belt and handed the weapons to the guards.

“May I enter now?”

The guard gave him a curt nod, and he and Susan walked inside. Once they had entered the vast entrance hall, a man in a white curly wig walked up to them.

“Welcome to the Courthouse of Edinburgh,” he said with a crooked-toothed smile. “What can I do for you?”

“We want to lay a charge of theft and swindling.”

“Ah. Very well. But firstly, before I ask who you're laying this charge against, I must ask, do you have evidence of the crime? This is most important to prevent false accusations.”

“We do. We have a confession of the crime.”

The man nodded.

“Good. Well then, who are you laying the charge against?”

“Sir Seamas McSwiggan and Lord Edward MacNally.”

The man raised his eyebrow in surprise.

“Forgive me, but you two are commoners, are you not?”

“Aye, we are,” replied Robert gruffly. “And what of it?”

“We cannot handle the charge here. If you are going to charge nobility with such crimes, you must have a noble to back you. And furthermore, Lord MacNally's lands are out of the jurisdiction of this court.”

Both Susan and Robert felt as if the wind had just been taken completely out of their sails.

“Wh-, wh-, what on earth can we do about this then?!” spluttered Robert. “I thought this was a land where free men had just as many rights as noblemen! Clearly this is not the case!”

The man held his hands up and shook his head.

“I'm sorry. This is the law of the land. It may seem unfair to you, but-”

“It is unfair. Dreadfully unfair, in fact.”

All of them spun around to see this new voice that had interrupted them. It was a deep, rough and husky voice, and it belonged to an old man dressed in the extravagant velvet suit of a nobleman. He wore a white curly wig, as was the fashion amongst powerful men of the time, and walked with a limp with the aid of a golden cane.

“I am Lord Farnham,” he said, smiling at Robert and Susan. As he grinned the lines on his worn face deepened, like ravines and valleys on his pale skin. “And I have just heard your tale about Lord MacNally. And for this case to not even get off the ground, merely because of the fact that you are not noble-born – well sir, that is a true crime.”

“I thank you for your sympathy, sir,” began Robert, “but-”

The old nobleman held up a finger to silence him.

“Hold on lad, I wasn't quite done yet. I am here to report to the court a case of minor theft – a former servant of mine had pilfered a few items from my manor, and subsequently fled here, to Edinburgh to escape justice. But it is a small matter, and it can wait. I'm now far more interested in your case, because I have been watching Lord MacNally for some time now, and the manner in which he is so rapidly acquiring new lands has made me very, very suspicious. Now, with your word, I have proof that his dealings have been underhanded.”